Metal sampling

Abstract

A sampler comprises a mould (2) held in a slot (8) at the end of a tube (6) having a cardboard inner wall and an outer protective coating (7), the end of the tube (6) being received in the socket (10) of a body (9), a bore (11) extending between the socket (10) and the outside of the body (9) so that molten metal may reach the mould.

I claim: 
     
       1. A sampler comprising a mould (2) to receive a sample of molten metal, the mould being held in the end portion of a tube (6) of cardboard or like organic material for immersion in the molten metal said portion of the tube (6) to contact molten metal being provided with a protective coating (7) of refractory composition, which includes ingredients which form a protective glass or glass-like surface on contact with the molten metal. 
     
     
       2. A sampler according to claim 1 characterised in that sources of sodium oxide, potassium oxide and silica are present in the composition to form a protective glass. 
     
     
       3. A sampler according to claim 1 characterised in that the mould (2) is received in the socket (10) of a preformed body (9) made of the refractory composition and the body includes a bore (11) extending between the socket (10) and the outside of the body so that molten metal may enter the bore (11) to reach the mould (2) contained in the socket (10). 
     
     
       4. A sampler according to claim 3 characterised in that the sample to be provided comprises a disc shape portion and pin portion extending therefrom, and a glass tube (4) for forming the pin extends from the mould (2) into the bore (11) of the body (9). 
     
     
       5. A sampler according to claim 3 characterised in that the preformed body (9) of refractory material is frangible so that it and the tube (6) may be broken for access to the sample in the mould after sampling. 
     
     
       6. A sampler according to claim 1 characterised in that a sealant layer is applied to the tube, an overlying layer of bonded coarse sand is formed and the protective coating is applied over the bonded coarse sand layer. 
     
     
       7. A sampler according to claim 1 characterised in that the composition includes an antispalling ingredient comprising up to 15% of a low volatile carbonaceous material. 
     
     
       8. A sampler according to claim 1 characterised in that the composition includes as refractory fillers up to 15% of aluminium oxide or zirconium oxide and up to 40% of silicon oxide. 
     
     
       9. A sampler comprising a mould to receive a sample of molten metal, the mold being held in the end portion of a tube of cardboard or like organic material for immersion in the molten metal, said portion of the tube to contact the molten metal being provided with a protective coating of refractory composition including sources of sodium oxide, potassium oxide, and silica, so as to form a protective glass upon immersion in the molten metal. 
     
     
       10. A sampler comprising a mould to receive a sample of molten metal, the mold being held in the end portion of a tube of cardboard or like organic material for immersion in the molten metal, said portion of the tube to contact the molten metal being provided with a protective coating of refractory composition, and further comprising a sealant layer applied to the tube, and an overlying layer of bonded coarse sand applied over the sealant layer, said protective coating of refractory composition being applied over the bonded coarse sand layer. 
     
     
       11. A sampler according to claim 10 wherein said refractory composition comprises sources of sodium oxide and potassium oxide, which form a protective glass. 
     
     
       12. A sampler comprising a mould to receive a sample of molten metal, the mold being held in the end portion of a tube of cardboard or like organic material for immersion in the molten metal, said portion of the tube to contact the molten metal being provided with a protective coating of refractory composition, said composition including an antispalling ingredient in an amount greater than 0 and comprising up to 15% of a low volatile carbonaceous material. 
     
     
       13. A sampler according to claim 12 wherein a sealant layer is applied to the tube, and an overlying layer of bonded coarse sand is formed over the sealant layer, and said protective coating of refractory composition is applied over the bonded coarse sand layer. 
     
     
       14. A method of sampling a metal melt utilizing a sampler comprising a mould to receive a sample of molten metal, the mould being held in the end portion of a tube of cardboard or like organic material for immersion in the molten metal, said portion of the tube to contact the molten metal being provided with a protective coating of a refractory composition which includes ingredients which form a protective glass or glass-like surface on contact with the molten metal, said method comprising the steps of: inserting the sampler into the melt so that the molten metal causes a protective glass or glass-like surface to form on the sampler upon contact with the molten metal;   causing the molten metal to enter the mould; and   removing the sampler from the metal melt and recovering the sample from the mould.   
     
     
       15. A method as recited in claim 14 comprising the further step of, prior to insertion of the sampler into the metal melt, of applying a sealant layer to the tube, applying an overlaying layer of bonded coarse sand over the sealant layer, and then providing the protective coating of refractory composition over the bonded coarse sand layer.